Thank you’s and Congratulations!

Today, I received a gift from one of many satisfied clients. Sophie marries this Thursday and what she gave me was a beautifully framed poem all the way from Lancashire along with a thank you card. The message in the card read.

To Linda.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for my beautiful wedding gown. I never imagined I would look so bridal and so tiny (and I mean that in the best possible way) It’s simply stunning- and I love it!

So many thanks and much love.

I also received this wonderful e mail from our past client, Karen (below) It certainly made me grin. Karen and her girls, like many of my clients, were delightful and I do miss seeing them! Their humor had me in tucks for hours!

Karen’s e mail.

Hey you,

I didn’t realise you won the award for best wedding dress designer!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Obviously my entry for nomination which said you were shit and a nightmare to work with wasn’t taken seriously !!  I must complain. Ha ha. Im really pleased for you. And I am even more proud that I have been privileged to be a part of it when I came to you. Just remember me when you’re throwing celeb bashes- invite is a must haha.

Checked out your new website, very impressed mrs and your collections are just divine and beautiful. But I expect nothing less from you, always perfect. Am I right that the model is your daughter???? Stunning.

Well I’ll keep in touch if only t o annoy and brighten your day with the friendly abuse.

All my love,

Karen smith xx

When strangers touch your life.

I’ve never really told anyone about how being involved in someones wedding has reduced me to tears of utter dispair. Only this one occasion. It was all down to photographer, James Melia, really. No, i’m not blaming him at all. James among others has become a great friend. He always begins his phone calls to me with. “Hello, trouble!”  No, I have no idea why, but it always makes me smile.

James contacted me last year, around early September to be exact, with. “I’m photographer for a couples wedding next year. Never met them, but I’m not taking a fee. There are circumstances you see. Can you be involved?” I raised an eyebrow and asked. “What’s up?” So there begins a journey.

I’ve already skimmed on the surface of this touching couple’s story. It made the Love my Dress blog here recently and today it made center pages of,  The Daily Mirror. The article can be read here.

Victoria has a rare and terminal cancer. She’s only twenty eight.

Designing and making Victorias gown was easy to begin with. It wasn’t until I met both her and Darren at the studio did it instantly become the most diffult gown I’ve ever had to work on. The difficulty wasn’t in the skill of making the gown, working with the fabric, or even finishing it with only one fitting in between, but the circumstances behind it.

I remained professional at every instance I could. I did have to nip to the back for a moment to take in deep breaths and hold back the tears. Victoria was so calm. Darren had been sent to a local cafe while the fitting took place. Victoria was to text him when it was all over.

Darren returned to a very happy V. However, I looked at this man who was about to marry this very beautiful woman, a women he was caring for and supporting and I wondered, when the time came, will he be surrounded by people who will care and support him. I know he has a massive support network, so am sure he will be well cared for too. He later text me. “Thank you. Seeing V with the biggest of smiles was the best.”  I could safely conclude she was happy with her wedding dress. For a while I was content.

I often listen to music while I work. The Tuesday after Victorias fitting, I had her gown draped over the ironing board. In the back ground Sand and Water sung by Beth Nielsen played. You can listen to it here .I had to move away from Victorias gown and call my lovely friend Jane Hardman Ferris. Jane was to lend Victoria a headpiece as a choice to flowers. Victoria couldn’t decide  when we tried the piece at her fitting, so we felt having the option was the way to go. It wasn’t so much of a phone call where I spoke. Jane just listened to me sob.

Along with James Melia was Jo Bilham. Both he and Jo were travelling south to Victoria and Darren for their wedding. Jo was providing the make up for Victoria so the gown was carefully packed up and the two were taking it and themselves to Victoria’s the morning of the wedding. Later that day, Jo sent me a picture text of the bride and groom. Victoria looked nothing short of stunning. I couldn’t help look beyond the smiling faces and I cried.

I think I continued to cry for days afterwards, sharing much of the sobbing with Jo. “I was putting Victoria’s false lashes on,” she told me. “Victoria asked if she could keep them as she may not have her own for much longer.” We cried again.

Today, Victoria and Darren made the papers. I’m so pleased that this couple are raising the awareness. In some bizzare way, Victoria does have a gift. She is learning to live her precious life to the full every day. Something we all are very complacent with. They have taught me a very valuable lesson. Live your life to the max. You only have one!

The wonderful images James took of Darren and Victorias wedding can be viewed here

To what indeed are a very wonderful and special couple. Victoria and Darren. For giving me the gift of not ever taking my life for granted again. xx

No. 9 Bridal Couture- What’s been going on?

My goodness, what a start to 2012.

The last few weeks of 2011 saw us winning the Wedding Industry award for regional wedding designer (North East) and as we fell in to 2012 we won the 2012 Wedding Industry Awards National winner. I’m not sure my feet have actually touched base as yet!

I have been given access to the lovely comments made by past clients who had a massive part in helping us win the award and can only say how deeply touched I am to read such marvelous words. I thank you all for taking the time to vote for us.

Exciting things have also happened over the last few weeks. We’ve recently returned from an amazing trip to Perth, Australia where I met with a new client who marries later this year and have also been put in touch with several wedding industry suppliers there who may be interested in networking opportunities or even stockists. I also produced an evening gown while in Perth to be worn to a ball in March for a client who works in TV.  Is No.9 going global?

We’ve also received e mails requesting our gowns to be held in  stores over the UK along with magazine features.

Just recently I discovered a rather lovely secret which concerned No. 9. One of UK’s prestigious wedding gown designers nominated us for a huge award held in Harrogate in March this year. It was a massive honour alone to have been nominated (The Oscars of the wedding world) as this is the only point of entry to the awards. Sadly, we didn’t make the finalists, but the nomination alone was huge, so thank you.

The list of finalists are:

Best British Bridal Designer
Ian Stuart
Jenny Packham
Ritva Westenius
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
Sassi Holford
Stephanie Allin

That’s one heck of a line up!

So, as you can see, big things are happening and my arms are open wide to embrace them all!

No.9 Launches New Website and Pays Tribute to the Team!

From left to right. Abbey, Jane, Lily, myself, Ellie, Kizzy, Rob and Jo

Meet the team

It’s been a long process and a little behind schedule from designing our new collection, to showcasing it all on our brand new website, but I do want to introduce you to a few of our very good friends who have helped us with the process.

We’ve always loved Rob Booker‘s style of photography since he captured one of our client’s Nadia perfectly in her vintage gown. He then went on to  brilliantly encompass the very essence of vintage style in our first ever bridal collection. Rob is fabulous to work with and we are delighted many of our clients are choosing Rob as their preferred photographer.

The photography has played a massive part in the design of the new website. Rob’s images from our Vintage Collection and our new ‘Sirens’ collection as well as top UK wedding photographer Chris Hanley‘s pictures of our Special Edition ‘Tuscany’ gown, worn by the lovely Caroline Rosini, are all showcased beautifully.

The task to deliver the bespoke website was given to that of web designer Nick Carlton of Bist Media who designed our re-branding logo earlier this year. Nick was very excited to have such high quality images to use in the design of the site, and rather pleased to have an ‘Award Winning Designer’ on his own client list!

We called in Event Stylist, Abbey of Beau Collections who brought a selection of props including dressing table, chairs, chandelier and mirrors among others. Abbey’s attention to detail and aim for perfection was evident in the styling, even using a small, vintage Tiffany jewellery box as part of the set.

Make up artist Jo Bilham and hairdresser Kizzy Edkins of Charisma Hairdressing were given the brief of ‘Hollywood Sirens’ for the specific look we wanted to achieve and both worked together testing various styles and looks before taking to their respective brushes on the day of the shoot. We are especially delighted to have recommended Jo and Kizzy several times over the past few weeks!

Jo at Work

Matching accessories to the gowns was easy. Two very special designers, award winning Jane Hardman Ferris of HF Couture and Suzanne of  Tiararama took to the task of supplying suitable headpieces to compliment each gown and achieve the desired look. Jane has become a trusted friend and we are delighted most of our clients choose her magnificent headpieces for their special day.

Floral Artistry by Leafy Couture.

Absent on the day, but by no means forgotten  was our adopted florist Sarah of Leafy Couture. Sarah supplies ALL  of our floral artwork and is considered one of the counties finest florists. Not surprising that many of our clients chose Sarah for their wedding and along with Jane, Sarah has become a firm friend.

Not forgetting our beautiful models and very much ‘real women’ Ellie and Lily who modeled our current collection

Along with the website and our brand new collection, coming soon is our very first brochure.  Our aim is to offer brides-to-be  the opportunity to not only view our collection but also have immediate access to the wonderful industry suppliers who helped create ‘the look’. We get up close and personal with the team, tell you how we achieved the look and what accessories we used to co ordinate.

On a final note, we’d also like to say a huge thank you to the photographers whose amazing images have contributed to the new website in  the ‘Our Client’ section.

Rob Booker – Rob Booker Photography

Chris Hanley – Chris Hanley Photography

Jamie Vickerstaff  - Vickerstaff Photography

John Hope – John Hope Photography

Helen – PH Weddings

Rebecca Heim

Award winning,Emma Case – Emma Case photography

Karen Ross – Karen Ross Photography

A huge thanks to all the team. We  couldn’t have done it without you! xx

Hope you enjoy the new site as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it…….www.no9bridalcouture.com 

Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often. x

It’s manic in our house on a morning. I fall over shoes, school bags and more often the dog. Sometimes I wish there were more hours in the day, trying to fit in the what once was a job around the family, to what now is the family around the job.

A few weeks ago, I was introduced to a couple who were due to be married next March/April 2012. The date hadn’t exactly been set, but recent circumstances has brought the date abruptly forward to this coming weekend.

James Melia, a guy who I consider a very good friend, put me in touch with the bride and she had her first fitting on Monday. She hasn’t tried any gowns, she simply sent over four images of things she liked and I went from there. Make up artist Jo Bilham is collecting the gown from me tomorrow along with a hair accessory kindly on loan to the bride from HF Couture. They are then off to Norfolk to the wedding. James is the photographer and Jo is making the beautiful bride,…just beautiful.

I’ve struggled with the home/children/wife/work balance just as many of us do, but over the last few days it’s given me chance to reflect and know that you should always have time for those you cherish. May be in reading a bedtime story to the children rather than catching up on e mails. The mail can wait half an hour surely? It means a much-needed ‘Date’ night with my husband who will be fetching our tea from Marks and Spencer ‘Dine in for two’ at £10 on Friday and counting my blessings each and every day for those I have around me.

All I will say about this forthcoming wedding  and the couple is this. “I am so very grateful for the opportunity to take a little time to think about things and to feel inspired by their courage.” Yes, Jo. So am I xx

A Wedding At Chester Zoo.

The love of purple flashed through every element of Lynda’s wedding at Chester Zoo from flowers to shoes to jewellery. The bride originally would have liked to have been dressed in purple too, but instead chose to use the jewel colour to accent rather than dominate.

Lynda chose a soft platinum silk dupion for her gown teaming it with the purple shoes, jewellery and flowers. Her headpiece was designed to compliment perfectly by the lovely Jane at HF Couture.

Lynda took advantage of our personal dressing service and we arrived at the hotel to a very calm bride to be indeed. After steaming the gown and helping Lynda dress, we followed her to the zoo to make any final adjustments before meeting her husband to be.

Lynda married under the most beautiful blue sky and it was such a pleasure to have been part of her very special day. Thanks for the cookie, Lynda. Still warm and heavenly!

HF Couture accessories

Weddings at Chester Zoo

Welcome to the new look of No. 9 Bridal Couture!

Hello.

It’s been a crazy few months for us at No 9. Our first wedding fair this year saw us instantly ‘branded’ with a fantastic banner and cute little hand outs. We are now launching a brand new website and are currently waiting with baited breath for the images from our recent photo shoot with the amazing Rob Booker.

Our lovely header image is by the very talented James Melia

The new website will display our new collection including our opulent ‘Special Edition’ Tuscany gown along with some fabulous real brides images that are landing in our inbox! We will also have some super accessory images that can be purchased direct from us or ordered direct from our wonderful suppliers.

We’ve also been nominated for a 2012 wedding industry award which is super exciting and also have a few magazine features in the pipeline.

We hope to feature lots more of our lovely brides here on the new look blog, the next being the recent wedding we attended at Chester Zoo.